THE MERRY OUTLAW.. BRINGING AID TO THOSE WHO NEED IT

In response to COVID-19 The Merry Outlaw is making it a part of their mission to utilize their platform for change with their Mutual Aid app.

Taking action

UPDATE: With over $7K raised from the community of Kansas City, Non-Profit CompanyThe Merry Outlaw continues their mission to raise money through the sharing of community resources. Most of the organization’s programs are centered around food, but they are responding to the COVID-19 crisis with agrassroots mutual aid web app that will provide emergency cash relief directly to those in Kansas City experiencing severe financial stress.

As we know, the COVID-19 pandemic is causing economic hardship for millions of Americans through loss of employment and unexpected medical bills. As a result, many individuals and families are struggling to purchase groceries, make rent, pay utility bills, etc. The Merry Outlaw’s app allows Kansas City people in need of assistance to make anonymous requests up to $300. These requests can be filled directly by donors in increments as low as $10. Donations both big and small will make this project successful..

So please give as much or as little as you are able to.

“We do not believe the scarcity myth, that tells us there is not enough to go around. We want to encourage the sharing of resources in our community, especially during crisis, because we know that some of us may have more than we need, while others not enough..

If you find yourselves with an abundance of resources during this time, we highly encourage you to share, and to donate funds directly to a neighbor through this app. We believe in the words of Fannie Lou Hamer, “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.”

-Lindsay Smith, Founder of The Merry Outlaw

Lindsay Smith founded The Merry Outlaw in March of 2019. Coming from a social work background she completed her masters in 2017, with an emphasis in child welfare. Working in child welfare services it opened her mind on how she could make an impact while working the long hours in trauma-filled spaces, only to keep the wheel turning in a system that wasn’t always making a positive impact in the lives of children and families.

She felt herself burning out quickly and knew she wasn’t doing her best in that environment.

Lindsay’s own experiences, good and bad, led her to leave social work and approach similar issues from a more creative angle, where her own strengths were a better fit.

Photo credit: The Merry Outlaw.. Friends of the Non-Profit

Enter the Merry Outlaw. What began as a small idea many years ago (to create a restaurant with a community concept…stay tuned, coming soon!), has transformed into something much bigger. Their goal as an organization is simple in theory but complex in execution – tackling food insecurity and resource inequity within Kansas City. This Non-Profit takes a village. Or in this case, a city to execute change. The Merry Outlaw is committed to executing their vision through creating strategic partnerships, hosting inclusive events, platforming existing nonprofit organizations, and establishing meaningful connections within the community.

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The Merry Outlaws goal is not just to feed people, nor to only raise money for other nonprofit organizations, but to redefine what it means to create real change—to shift the paradigm.

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The Merry Outlaw encourages KC residents in need to make requests. In order for those requests to be filled, they also need the commitment from people with resources to donate and to share this information with as many people as possible: co-workers, friends, family members, churches, and on social media.

The Merry Outlaw will use these larger donations to fill emergency cash requests that have not yet been met.

The Merry Outlaw is a sponsored project of Community Capital Fund (CCF), a Kansas City, Missouri non-profit service organization (45-4561134). Contributions for the charitable purposes of The Merry Outlaw must be made payable to “Community Capital Fund” only. Donations through The Merry Outlaw website are set up to be paid to CCF who will then redistribute funds to The Merry Outlaw to follow sponsorship protocol. Your donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Learn more about CCF at www.ccfkansascity.org